Arnold Schwarzenegger Admits to Fathering Love Child

It’s been a stressful time in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s personal life lately. Not only did he and his wife of 25 years, Maria Shriver, recently announce their separation, the former California governor has now come forward and admitted he fathered a love child with a former staffer.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Shriver moved out of the couple’s shared Brentwood, Calif., home after Schwarzenegger learned he had a child with a member of their household staff over a decade ago.

“After leaving the governor’s office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago,” Schwarzenegger said Monday in a statement. “I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry.”

The statement continued, “I ask that the media respect my wife and children through this extremely difficult time. While I deserve your attention and criticism, my family does not.”

The woman with whom Schwarzenegger had the affair reportedly worked in the family’s home for the past 20 years, and retired this past January. Though her name has not been released, she told the L.A. Times that she left voluntarily and received severance pay.

“I wanted to achieve my 20 years, then I asked to retire,” she said, adding that she “left on good terms with them.”

Schwarzenegger and Shriver announced their seemingly shocking separation just last week.

“This has been a time of great personal and professional transition for each of us,” they said in a joint statement at the time of the announcement. “After a great deal of thought, reflection, discussion and prayer, we came to this decision together. At this time, we are living apart while we work on the future of our relationship.”